Epilogue                                                                                                               Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1989

Amanda gave a deep sigh as she pulled the massive turkey out the oven. It  smelled heavenly. Dotty stood behind her putting the finishing touches on the sweet potatoes and the green bean casserole. From the living room, sounds of the girls giggling at the antics of their brothers filled the air. As she set the turkey down on the stove, Lee snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her stomach.

“Lee!” she laughed as he kissed her neck. Dotty turned around and gave them an indulgent smile.

“What?” he grinned. “Can’t I give my wife a Thanksgiving kiss?” He whipped her around and kissed her again.

Amanda laughed and swatted him. “Is the table set?” she asked as she moved to put the turkey on the serving platter.

“Yes, the boys finished a little while ago, and I put the glasses out. Everything’s all set.”

“Did the Colonel say what time he’d be here?” Dotty questioned Lee. “Dinner should be ready in a few minutes.”

Lee glanced at the clock. “He said his plane got in at noon, and he’d take a taxi to the house. I told him I’d pick him up, but you know the Colonel.”

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. “I bet that’s him, Amanda,” Lee said. The couple walked together to the door, ready to greet Lee’s uncle.

“Happy Thanksgiving!” Amanda greeted as she opened the door. “Francine, Ephraim! So glad you could make it!”

“Thanks for having us,” Francine responded as they walked in the door. Francine turned to Amanda, “Where would you like for me to put the cheesecake?”

“Cheesecake?” Lee piped up. “I’ll take it!”

“Put it on the sideboard, Lee,” Amanda laughed. “Thanks for bringing it, Francine. Ephraim, how are you feeling?”

Ephraim glanced down at Francine and grinned, “Never better. Francine’s an excellent nurse.”

Francine put her arm around his waist and said, “Well, you’re not so bad as a patient.”

Amanda watched the exchange and smiled broadly. Before she could say anything, the doorbell rang again. Francine and Ephraim walked into the living room as Amanda reached for the door.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Amanda!” Colonel Robert Clayton greeted.

“Uncle Robert!” Amanda greeted as she gave the older man a hug. “I’m so glad you made it today!” She turned to the living room, and called out, “Phillip, Jamie, Uncle Robert is here. Can you go get his bags?”

“Now, Amanda, I’m going to stay in that hotel I told you about,” Robert insisted.

“No, you’re not. Phillip is staying in Jamie’s room, and you are staying in Phillip’s room. Now, I’m not going to take no for an answer,” Amanda retorted.

“I’d listen to her, sir,” Lee chimed in as he walked up to his uncle. “You know Amanda always gets her way.”

“How’re doing, Skip?” Robert greeted, giving Lee a warm handshake.

“I’m doing great! Come on in here and meet Sarah. You can also see how much Katie has grown since you saw her in August,” Lee suggested, leading his uncle in to the living room.

As Amanda walked into the room, she saw Francine sitting next to Ephraim, with Katie standing in her lap. Ephraim had one arm around Francine’s shoulder and was holding Katie’s hand with the other.

Francine glanced up at Lee and his uncle as they came in. She stood up with Katie and walked over to the Colonel. “It’s nice to see you again,  Colonel Clayton,” Francine greeted. “Would you like to see your great-niece?”

“Absolutely!” Robert exclaimed. “My goodness, but she’s grown a foot!” He cuddled the little girl close to him, then glanced back at Francine. “And how are you doing, young lady? It’s been awhile since I saw you.”

“I’m doing great, Colonel,” Francine beamed.“I can see that!” Robert agreed, then glanced over at Ephraim. “And is that your young man?”

Ephraim stood up, a little gingerly, then walked over to the Colonel, hand extended. “It’s nice to meet you, Colonel Clayton. I’m Ephraim Beaman. I work with your nephew and Amanda.”

“Nice to meet you, son,” Robert returned. “And you’re taking care of this young lady?”

Ephraim smiled at Francine, then answered, “Yes, sir.”

Amanda grinned at Francine, who grinned right back.

Dotty walked in and said, “Well, everybody, let’s not stand around! Dinner is served!”

Lee bent down and picked up Sarah, while Amanda took Katie from the Colonel. Lee walked over to the Colonel, and showed him Sarah. “This is our new daughter, Sarah.”

“She’s the one who’s parents…” Robert whispered. Lee and Amanda nodded. Robert smiled at Lee, then Sarah, and said “Welcome to the family, Sarah.” Sarah clapped her hands.

Together, Lee and Amanda watched as Ephraim walked with Francine into the dining room, smiling at each other.

“Looks like you got your way, there, too, ‘Manda,” Lee whispered with a grin.

“Oh, Lee,” Amanda swatted him. “I just pointed Francine in the right direction. The rest was all up to them.” She looked at her husband and smiled. “They do look good together, don’t they?”

“Should keep things interesting at work,” Lee teased, then kissed his wife. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

They walked into the dining room, hand in hand, ready to give thanks for the many blessings they had received over the years. It was truly a day to be thankful.